Find us online at
www.endlesssummerbeachhouse.co.za
www.themystichouse.com
www.capetownguru.com
www.high-five.co.za
Make a booking with us at info@capetownguru.com
And keep up to date on our facebook
www.facebook.com/EndlessSummerBeachhouse

Learn to kitesurf with High Five kiteschool.
With the consistency of the Cape Docter
(our famous SOuth Easter wind) Blouberg
beach catches the wind perfectly. This makes
it the perfect place to kitesurf. Lessons
can be arranged every windy day and our
instructors are experienced and qualified. We
teach at several locations according to the
requirements of the lesson and the weather
conditions.

• All lessons are run to IKO standards and
once you are up and going we will be happy
to present you with your own IKO kitesurf
licence.
• Prices are per person, NOTE: the maximum
number of students per lesson is 2.
• Lessons at Langebaan are an extra R200
on top of the above price.
• Advanced coaching can be on anything
you like, including strapless wave riding or
unhooked tricks. You decide!
• During summer we can organize clinics
with pro’s like Kevin Langeree, Lewis
Crathern and Ruben Lenten.
• Action photos and videos of you with our
water cameras are also available upon
request.

*All equipment is included in lessons, just bring your own swimgear and towel.

6

TAND P ADDLE
Stand Up Paddle Surfing is an excellent
workout when the wind is lying low. Not to
mention incredibly fun. This water sport is
currently taking over the world.

SUPing is very easy to learn especially on flat
water. This makes it accessible for everyone.
Whoever seeks more challenge can try to
ride the waves. Whichever type of riding you
choose SUPing is a great total body workout.
The instructors of High Five will show you
the basics after which you can paddle around
improving your skills.

For butter flat water get up early for an early
morning paddle. If you are lucky you can
even SUP with dolphins or whales.

7

ING

We have some premium surf spots in the
area. You can always find a wave somewhere.
Beginner to advanced everyone can enjoy
surfing in Cape Town.

Surfing is a great alternative when there is
no wind but some nice waves. Big Bay is a
very good spot for your first surf session. Our
instructors will teach you everything you need
to know about the waves and how to surf. After
1 hour of instructions you will have another
hour to practice.
If you already know how to surf but left
your surfboard at home, we also rent out
surfboards. For the spots check the spot guide
in the back.

Got some energy to get rid of? Go on one of
our mountain bike trips for a day full of fun.
Cape Town is one of the favourite destinations
in the world for mountain biking tours with the
slopes of Table Mountain providing the ideal
backdrop.
Have a super experience in one of the great
parks around Cape Town:
Tokai Forest
Stellenbosch
Table Mountain
Franschhoek
Durbanville
Melkbosstrand

We have brand new Giant Talon 29â&#x20AC;&#x2122;ers and
Silverback bikes. You just need to bring a fast
outfit and lots of water.

9

SNORKELLING

Steven, founder of Animal Ocean will take
you out to Duiker Island, Hout Bay. He will
put you in close contact with the playful
seals that live on the rocks there.

Once geared up you will swim with these
playful creatures next to the island. They are
very curious animals and not afraid to come
right up to you in the water.
This unique experience can be booked trough
High Five perfect for a day out on the other
side of the mountain.
No experience needed with snorkelling. It is
also possible to scuba dive with the seals.

10

?

Where:
Houtbaai

Price:
R600 per person
Including snorkelling equipment.
R550 per person
if you book with High Five!
R700 per person
Including all hard SCUBA equipment
(Tanks, BCD, weight belt and reg.)

DIVING
Experience these gigantic creatures from
up close. See how they behave in their own
environment. Sharks are not the wild and
aggressive animals people expect them to be.
Seeing these impressive creatures gives you a
new view and understanding for them.
Your guide is Micheal Rutzen who is known
for his series on National Geographic and
lives up to his name as â&#x20AC;&#x153;Sharkmanâ&#x20AC;?. Let him
show you his world and go cage diving in
Gansbaai.
The boat departure is very early, so we
can arrange accommodation at one of our
partner guest houses close to Gansbaai if
you prefer a relaxed trip.

Want to surf bigger waves?
Then you need to know how to hold you breath!

DIVING

Freediving at its purest! You want to surf
bigger waves, join a spearfishing trip or just
enjoy to be under water?

Our education system is designed to equip the
average man and woman in the street with the
knowledge and skills to leave the world of air
behind and safely explore the breath-taking
world below the waves.

Level 1: Freediver (14m)
This is a 2-day foundation course that
covers the basics of freediving. It includes:
breathing, relaxation, physiology, equipment,
equalization, freediving technique and safety.
At the end of the course you will be able to:
- Freedive to 14m (max 20m)
- Perform a rescue from 8m
- Complete a 2 minute static breath hold
- Achieve a 70% minimum pass rate for the
theory exam

12

?

Where:
Houtbaai

Price:
R1800 per person for a 2 day course
Prerequisites:
+18 years of age, comfortable
swimming and snorkelling, signed
medical statement and liability
release form.

Level 2: Advanced Freediver (26m)
This is 4-day core freediving course designed
to equip freedivers with the knowledge
and skills to become proficient advanced
freedivers. Students will learn to become
energy efficient; to prepare their bodies for
pressure; to train on land and in the water; to
perform advanced equalization techniques; to
organize and run training session; and to do
it all safely! To complete this course, students
will need to fulfill these core requirements:
- Freedive to 26m (max 30m)
- Perform a rescue from 15m
- Perform a 30m rope rescue
- Complete a 3 minute static breath hold
- Achieve a 70% minimum pass rate for the
theory exam

ING

What better way to prepare for a good braai
then to catch your own food! Go fishing with
Steve around the Cape Peninsula will not
only show you the great scenary but also
give you the thrill of catching a fish.
During this 4 hour fishing trip around
Houtbay and Kommitjie we will target
Hottentot and Snoek. During crayfish season
we will net crayfish and bring it home to eat.
You need your own license to take home 4 per
person. (buy it at the post office)

?

Where:
Houtbay and Kommetjie
Price:
R650 (Per Person)

The best deal we could find for you guys
is R5000 for the boat and skipper with
equipment and light snacks, most of the
other guys want more. So 8ppl at R650 p/p.

13

Each year Animal Ocean takes divers and
snorkelers from around the world to follow
one of the world greatest events, The Sardine
Run.
We spend a month going to sea, often in
terrible conditions, looking for marine
predators feeding on the little silver fish. This
is an untamed and wild marine experience,
where you never know what you are going to
find. Its addictive and the rewards are huge.
Are you interested in a trip? Ask Alex for more
info, this will only happen during end of April /
May / June. We can do a full week of diving or
a half day snorkeling trip.

14

RUN

?

Where:
KwaZulu-Natal / Durban

Price:
R750 (Per person/per day)

All kinds of Mystic Wetsuits for sale.
Ask the crew for more details.

15

MOUNTAIN

HIKE 1

There are multiple routes up table mountain but we show the two most popular. For more
routes see the internet.
Platteklip Gorge: 1½ - 2 hours
• Start at the Tafelberg road 2km past the
lower cable station.
• Return the same way or take the Cable
Car down.
• Fastest route up.
• It can be very hot in the summer.
For most visitors, this is the first choice route
as it offers the fastest and most direct way to
the top of Table Mountain, unless taking the
easier option of using the Cable Car.
During the walk you will see views over Table
Bay, Robben Island, Signal Hill and the City
of Cape Town. On top you can look down on
the beaches of Clifton and Camps Bay and
south across the Cape Peninsula and the
majestic Twelve Apostles.

16

The stone steps, made for giants, will tire you
out very quickly and makes it a real challenge
to go up. Starting at Tafelberg Road you reach
the Contour Path after 15 minutes where
a stream (the only water on the way up) is
overhung by shady bushes & trees.
At the top you have the choice of heading off
right toward the upper Cable Way station or
adding an additional 1½ hours for a return
leg to Maclear’s Beacon, the highest point on
Table Mountain.
In summer this hike can be very hot
especially in the afternoon. Therefore take
enough water with you.

HIKE 2
Skeleton Gorge: 4½–5½ hours
• Start at the Kirstenbosch Gardens on the
back of Table Mountain.
• Ascend trough Skeleton gorge.
• Descend via Nursery Ravine or descend with
the Cable Car.
• Mostly moderate uphill hiking with some
wooden ladders to climb.
Departing from Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens
this route follows the magical forest up to the
Back Table and the historical reservoirs.

It is regarded as one of the most popular routes
with views over False Bay, the Constantia Valley
and the Hottentot Holland Mountains.
The route involves some adventurous climbing
on a number of wooden ladders to get over the
rocky areas.
Bring enough food and water since it is quite an
adventurous hike.

17

?

SUNSET HIKE
A sunset hike up Lions Head is truly
beautiful.
It starts at the foot of the hill and while
circling the rock you reach the top in about
45min. The last part is quite the scramble
with ladders and ropes. Once on top you can
see Camps Bay, Table Mountain and the city
centre. Enjoying the sunset with a beer and
some friendsis something that shouldnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t be
missed. Do the hike during a full moon and
you can wait for it to rise and hike down in
the moonlight. Donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t expect to be by yourself
on the summit. It is quite the popular hike.
Some last tips:
Make sure you leave on time, because traffic
can be a bitch. Also bring water, beer and a
headlight.

See Cape Town underneath your feet and
experience the true feeling of flying. Don’t
forget to ask your instructor if you can hold
the controls for a while.

Where:
Many mountains and hills
surrounding Cape Town depending on
the weather conditions of the day.

Cape Town has one of the most spectacular
and beautiful places in the world to
paraglide. Lion’s Head is often used as a
take off because of its location and the
stunning views of Table Mountain and the
Cape Town area. However, there are many
flying sites in the area including Signal Hill,
Sir Lowry’s Pass (just past Somerset West),
Franschhoek(wine area) and Hermanus.

Paramotoring is motorized paragliding and
is done on dolphin beach on low wind days.
Flights range from 10 minutes up to one hour
in the air This last flight the recommendation
for the best bang for buck! A great way to see
the ocean from a different point of view.

19

DIVING

?

Are you in for an absolute thrilling
experience? Try jumping out of an airplane
for a change.

Where:
Melkbos
15 minutes from Blouberg

Get your adrenaline shot while sitting on the
edge of an airplane with the wind rushing
through your hair.

Price:
Tandem flight; R1700
Video and stills; R600

Jump out with an instructor on your back and
feel the rush of the 30 second free fall.
During the trip you can enjoy stunning
views of the Cape region and see as far as
Franschoek.

20

BOARDING

Blue Rock Cable Park is an excellent place
for a nice day relaxing and showing of your
wake style skills.

This cable park is located just before Sir
Lowrys Pass in an old quarry. The water in
the lake is comfortably warm and besides
wakeboarding offers a range of other
activities. Bring your own picnic or enjoy the
food at the restaurant. The cliff jumping is
not as spectacular but definitely enjoyable for
the kids.
You can bring your own kite/wakeboard to the
cable or get one at the liquid force shop since
the rental boards arenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t the best. A helmet is
required to ride the obstacles.

Mzoli’s in Gugulethu is a popular place to
get together for some drinks and a braai township sundowner style.
Meet the most friendly people ever in
Gugulethu township and have a braai and
party with them! Some nice music is played
by a dj and the best meat you eat at Mzoli’s!
Go around 12/ 1 o’clock. Sundays are the
most fun.
Directions:
• Drive in the direction of N2 Airport.
• Take exit 14/15 Heideveld/Modderdam
• Keep left
• At the robots turn right
• Drive over the bridge, into Gugulethu
• At the robots turn left.
• After 150m you will find a purple house
on your left.
• Park your car where the marshals are.

22

BRAAI

?

Where:
Gugulethu in Cape Town
35min drive from Blouberg

Price:
Not expensive, depends on how much
you eat and especially.. drink.

COTTAGE
Take your friends and spend a night in
the Franschhoek house. These beautiful
cottages are located in the wine country of
Franschhoek. This area is home to the best
wineries. Enjoy the best food and drink the
best wines whilst enjoying the scenery.
If you enjoy more of an action oriented trip
Fransschoek is also very nice for downhill
longboarding, SUPing on the lake or
paragliding.

(ACCOMMODATION)

?

Where:
Franschhoek.

Price:
R800 per night
Max 6 people.

23

BOARDING
Learn to surf the dunes of Atlantis!
Atlantis dunes are situated 30min away form
Bloubergstrand on the West Coast. The white
sand dunes provide a beautiful scenery for
this exciting activity.
After a short instruction on a small dune you
will seek out the bigger and more challenging
dunes.
We provide you with sandboards, instructions
and transport to the dunes.
Donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t forget to bring lots of water since you
hike up what you board down.

ING
Looking for extreme adventure? Rappel,
slide, and jump down rocks and waterfalls!
Kloofing is the art of following a mountain
stream down.
There are two great places to go too:
For a relaxed day with the options to jump
from cliffs which vary from 3 to 10 meters
Crystal Pools is the place to be! Its near to
Gordon’s bay. (Get a permit for the hike at the
Sunbird guest lodge)

For the real daredevils there is Suicide Gorge,
deep in the mountains. The hike shows
incredible sceneries and will have you facing
jumps three to twenty-two meters down.
(only for the serious …) And there is no
way back. This full day trip is an absolutely
unforgettable experience for the thrill seekers!
Book this trip with High Five.

25

GAME RESERVE
See the big 5 only 2 hours from Blouberg.
The biggest private game park in the
Western Cape.
This park has multiple activities on offer,
depending of how much time and money you
would like to spend.
• Day Trip Safari
• Horseback Safari
• Quad bike Safari
• Combo Safari
• Overnight Safari
The park is located in Southern Karoo and
the drive from Cape Town is a spectacular
one. Once there you can join the safari day
tour which includes visits to ancient rock
art sites, lunch under the boma, and cool
off dips at one of two swimming pools. All
safaris are in an open 4 x 4 safari vehicle.

26

?

Where:
Inland past Worchester

Price:
Daytrip: R1405
Overnight: R2095

ACTIVITIES

There is so much more to do in Cape Town
that this book will never be finished. Here a
list with stuff you can also do.
Old Biscuit Market
Every Saturday from 9:00-14:00 in
Woodstock great food and art.
Beer tasting
In Darling (close to Yzerfontein) there is a
beer brewery where you can taste different
kinds of beer.
Long Street
Find Long Street in downtown Cape Town for
shopping, drinking and partying.
Waterfront
Shopping, eating and drinking can be done
here. Relatively expensive but great for
souvenirs.

Noordhoek Community Market
Good food market on the Cape Point Vineyard
Estate. Every Summer Thursday from 16:30
until 22:00.
Township tour
Langa is one of the oldest townships in
Cape Town. There are people who offer tours
trough the community to see how they live.
Great experience, call Thandolwethu Zynoh
Matshethu 073 673 6169.
History of Cape Town.
Be a tourist and explore the history of Cape
Town, visit a museum, the Bo Kaap or the
Castle of Good Hoop.
Or use your own creativity, google or just go
with the flow.

27

Kitesurf boat trips
Want to do a kitesurftrip full of other adventures for one or several days down the
West Coast? Ask Grant or Alex for more info!

28

ROAD TRIPS
EXPLORING
South Africa

29

CAPEPENINSULA

TOUR

This route is a good option for a full day
exploring the cape peninsula. Start the day
early with a surf in Muizenberg.

conditions. After you have had a stroll and
taken some pictures, you will head over to the
west coastt by driving over Chapmans Peak.

Continue to Simons Town to see the penguins.
On the way you will pass through Kalk Bay
which has some nice antique shops if you are
into shopping.

This beautiful stretch of road is carved into the
mountains It ends in Houtbaai where you can
go seal snorkelling (book first), take a boat ride
or enjoy fish in the harbour.

After the penguins the next destination is the
Cape of Good Hope. It is the most southern
tip of the peninsula and famous for its stormy

The road onwards takes you to Camps Bay
where the rich and famous like to party. Enjoy a
drink on one of the terraces.

30

R27

Lions Head - Hike
Camps Bay - Nightlife

Cape Town City Centre
Table Mountain - Hike

M5

N2

Houtbaai - Sealsnorkling
Chapmans Peak
Muizenberg - Surf

False Bay
Simons Town - Penguins

If you want to end the day with some action
hike up Lions Head or Table Mountain and
check out the sunset.
Conclude the day with dinner in Cape Town
on Long Street or any other of the great
restaurants.
For places to eat and party in Cape Town check
out www.capetownmagazine.com

Cape of Good Hope

31

WINETASTING
A day full of culinary highlights and alcoholic
beverages means a trip to Franschhoek.
Besides the food and wine you are also
treated with some great scenery.
Franschhoek, Stellenbosch, Paarl, Cederberg,
Hermanus and Durbanville are full of
winefarms and most of them are really good.
A day trip to Fransschoek will not only show
you good wines and food but also a really nice
drive.
Start by taking the N1 in the direction of
Paarl. Take exit 59 and drive down the R301 to
Franschhoek.

If you don’t want to drive and have a fun tour
ask the crew to contact Dicky.

These wine farms are not the only good ones
in the area. If you have seen these already try
some other farms or towns like Durbanville,
Stellenbosch and Hermanus.

33

WHALECOAST

ROUTE

During the whale season which runs from
mid-August till mid-October you can spot
countless whales just from your car. Even
when the whales have left, it is still one of
the most beautiful routes with endless roads
along the coast.
The route begins in Cape Town and follows
the particularly pretty R44, also known
as Clarence Drive, through the Kogelberg
Biosphere Reserve. This is a popular drive
that easily rivals Chapman’s Peak in Cape
Town as one of the most scenic in the
country – views over False Bay are incredible
on clear days.

34

You pass through the villages of Rooiels,
Pringle Bay and on to Betty’s Bay, where
Stony Point is a popular spot to visit to see
the African Penguin colonies. Just around
the corner is the wonderful Harold Porter
Botanical Garden, which is well worth a visit
as well.
Driving on, the route reaches Kleinmond
where joining the R43 will bring you to
Hermanus, which boasts not only some of
the world’s best land-based whale watching,
but has its very own whale crier during the
season.

Cape Town City Centre

N2

Blue Rock Cable Park

Gordens Bay
False Bay

Crystal Pools

R44

Kleinmond
Pringle Bay
Bettyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Bay
R43

Besides whales Hermanus also has great fruity
wines. Spend an afternoon tasting great wines at
Southerns Rights Estate off the Hemel en Aarde
Road.

Hermanus

Gansbaai

On through the town of Stanford, a beautiful
village on the edge of the Klein River and on to
Gansbaai â&#x20AC;&#x201C; known as Great White Shark country
because of the shark cage diving available here.
The route ends at Die Dam, but you could also
continue on to Baardskeerdersbos, Elim and
Cape Agulhas, if the wind takes you.

35

GARDEN

ROUTE

The Garden Route is a popular and scenic stretch of the south-eastern coast of South Africa. It
stretches from Mossel Bay in the Western Cape to the Storms River which is crossed along the
N2 coastal highway. There is plenty of (kite)surfing spots along the way, don’t plan the trip too
much, just go with the flow and check out the weather forecasts.
Underneath a couple of highlights with some
details of cool places to visit and good spots
to surf along the road;
• Hermanus; check if there are some whales
in the bay.

place and stay at Agulhas Backpackers
082372354.
• Oudtshoorn; is famous for its caves and
ostriches, you can even race one!

• Gansbaai: go shark cage diving, ask High
Five to hook you up with the best operator.

• Witsand; one of the best freestyle
kitespots in the world, butter flat water in
the lagoon. Call Barry for accommodation:
0828504318.

• Cape Agulhas & Struisbaai; most southern
point of Africa. Silent but very beautiful
place. Have a surf session at the harbour
and feed the huge manta rays there as
well. Kite the ‘secret’ lake at the farmers

• Mossel bay; only visit it when there is good
waves forecasted, nice wave spot, but a
boring town.

36

• Victoria Bay; great wavespot. Sleep in
Wilderness.

• Plettenberg Bay; shipwreck and Plet wedge
are great surfs pots.

• Wilderness; great spot for paragliding, do
a tandem or even your own basic course.
Great hikes and good accommodation; The
Beachhouse 0448770549 or stay on top
of the mountain with it’s stunning view;
The Wildfarm 0448770700.

• Bloukrans Bungy Bridge, the highest
Bungy jump in the world.

• Sedgefield; stay at Pili Pili extreme resort
(044 343 3217) Kite at the resort or on
the lagoons. Surf at Buffalo’s bay point
break.

• Cape St. Francis; great wavespot that is
famous since the Endless Summer movie.

• Knysna; kite or sup at one of the river
mouths or lagoons.

• Stormsriver/ Tsitsikamma; do all kind of
adventure activities like kayaking down
white water.

• J-bay; famous for the best right handers
in the world, cool vibe in town with a lot
of surf factory outlets. Stay at Ubuntu;
0769660630.

37

RRD Religion Wave kites
-Great Turning speed
-Easy to handle Power
-More Power on big sizes
-Stable on your head
-Instant Water re-launching
-Bullet proof wave construction
Ask the crew for prices and stock or a test ride.

38

KITE SPOTS

GENERAL INFO ON KITING IN SOUTH AFRICA
Cape Town & WEST COAST:

• The predominant direction of the wind in summer is South East, aka
the Cape Doctor.

• In winter (may-sept) the predominant wind direction is North West.
• Bring your wetsuit! Even in summer the temperature of the water is
pretty low. A 4/3 full suit is recommended.

The Blouberg area is the most well known and popular area for
kite surfers and wind surfers. If the Cape Doctor does his thing,
the wind will be good! The Cape Doctor (or “die Kaapse dokter”
in Afrikaans) is the local name for the strong, persistent and dry
south-easterly wind that blows on the South African coast from
spring to late summer (September to March).
In Blouberg there are several beaches to choose from. From the
south the beaches are as follows: Sunset Beach, Dolphin Beach,
Kite Beach and Pancake Point.
• Sunset Beach: Famous spot for mainly wind surfers. Wind
here is usually slightly offshore. If the Cape Doctor is active, this
beach is always the first place for the wind to pick up. Also well
known as the start for a downwinder for kite surfers. The kite
surfers start in Sunset and go downwind to Pancake Point or even
all the way to Big Bay or Haakgat.
• Dolphin Beach: Very famous kite surfing spot. Mainly popular
amongst kiters riding their twintips. Lots of beginners and
intermediate kiters are at Dolphin.

Haakgat
Derde Steen

Kamers
Big Bay

Endless Summer Beach House
Kitebeach
Dolphin Beach

• Kite Beach: Only a few hundred meters downwind from Dolphin.
Like Dolphin, but maybe even more popular. Most known kite
spot of Cape Town. Like the name says.......
• Pancake Point/Endless Summer Beach House: Again a few
hundred meters downwind from Kite Beach is Pancake Point. No
way near as crowded as Dolphin and Kite Beach. And if you are
hungry......try one of the delicious pancakes of Frank & Phyl

Sunset Beach

40

Kitebeach

Witsands

Scarborough

BIG BAY

WITSANDS

Just north from Blouberg, but still more or less connected to
Cape Town, you will find Big Bay. Well known for the flat sections
between the waves. A favourite for twintip riders, but also a real
good wave spot. Big Bay is sheltered due to the shape of the bay,
means the waves get really clean.

Perfect lines can be rolling on this beautiful long white beach.

At Big Bay roughly the following spots:
• In front of the life savers club. During season plenty of kite and
windsurfers.
• A bit more downwind: Karma’s (or Kamers). Beautiful clean
lines, perfect wave spot.
• North, further downwind: Eerstesteen and Derdesteen. Two
beaches you will come across if you are doing a downwinder
from Blouberg to Haakgat. Beautiful beach breaks, waves can get
pretty hollow and gnarly.

SCARBOROUGH &
MISTY CLIFFS

(CAPE TOWN)

HAAKGAT
(CAPE TOWN)

Haakgat is the most famous big wave spot in Cape Town. If the
swell picks up, Haakgat and its reef break is the place to be. This
is a spot for experienced kite and wind surfers.

(CAPE PENINSULA WEST)
Park your car on the road “above” the spot and walk down with
your gear. Much more chilled than Misty Cliffs and Scarborough.

(CAPE PENINSULA WEST)

This is what the “world kite and wind surfing guide” has to say.....
“Another performer in north-westerlies is Misty Cliffs, an extremely
powerful reef-break with persistently weak wind on the inside-very
dicey in front of a thoroughly rocky coast. No problems launching
of the sandy beach of Scarborough though, towards probably this
region’s fastest wave. Experts only, and even they shouldn’t get too
close to the kelp beds; fall here and you’ll be washed mercilessly
onto the rocks.”
You’ve been warned....(-:

Downwinders from Blouberg usually end here with a beautiful
sunset and a cold beer.

Haakgat

41

Sharks Bay

Brandvlei

WEST COAST

Doring Bay

PATERNOSTER

(WEST COAST)

Lamberts Bay

Quality left reef break at the northern end of this small West
Coast town. Works in medium west swell and light east winds.

Elandsbay

There are beach breaks to the north, scattered along a fl at
coastline stretching towards Steenbrasbaai. Lots of exploration
potential.

Paternoster

YZERFONTEIN
(WEST COAST)

Veldrift

Yzerfontein is a bit of a “difficult” kite spot, but when it works,
it’s one of the most incredible wave spots of the Western Cape.
Experienced riders only. It’s a point break that only goes with a
proper W/NW swell. Wind will be pretty gusty, but once on a wave
you will have a blast!

Langebaan
Sharkbay

Yzerfontein
Tube wave
Derdesteen

42

Sharkbay

Yzerfontein
Velddrif

LANGEBAAN MAIN
BEACH &
SHARK’S BAY
(WEST COAST)

Langebaan and Shark’s Bay are the most famous flat water spots
of the Western Cape. Ideal for beginners and for (freestyle) flat
water lovers! The scenery is beautiful and even if you are not in
to flat water at all, its still worth the drive.
About an hour and a half drive from Blouberg, just follow the R27
and you will be there in no time.
Note: even though Shark’s Bay & Langebaan are next to each
other, the conditions can differ a lot. Don’t wait for wind all
day on one of the spots. It might blow on the other side of the
lagoon! Check both for the best conditions during that day.

VELDDRIF
(WEST COAST)

Something completely out of the ordinary is Velddrift. An area
with canals and most likely the flattest water you have ever
witnessed.
A bit further up the road from Langebaan, you will find Velddrift.
Follow the R27, on your right hand you will see the spot. Can be
somewhat shallow but that’s what makes so super smooth.

BRANDVLEI
(INLAND)

This spot is about an hour and a half drive from Cape Town, near
a place called Worcester.
When the South Easter in Cape Town is blowing like a mad
scientist...aka the Cape Doctor on steroids, then take a look at
the Brandvlei dam. It is a very nice flat water spot in a beautiful
scenery.

Brandvlei

43

E
V
A
W
S
D
R
A
BO
D
R
R

Maquina wave board
A totally new program based on a classic pro
surfboard shape. The Maquina combines the
advantages of a wider tail with a generous
rocker and a serious tail kick. The narrow nose
helps freedom of radical off the top turns on
the heaviest sections. A must for a pro rider.

For a test drive, prices and stock ask the
crew.

44

SURF SPOTS

GENERAL INFO ON SURFING IN SOUTH AFRICA

Cape Town & WEST COAST:
• The South African winter (which is from June until August) is the best period
to go out for an epic surf session.
• Bring your wetsuit! Even in summer the temperature of the water is pretty
low. A 4/3 full suit is recommended. And if you’re still cold by then you are
not paddling hard enough!
• When it rains the wind will be from the north which is perfect for the waves!

45

Elands Bay
Lamberts bay

WEST COAST
DORING BAY

Doring Bay

(WEST COAST)

Left reef break. There is an inside section that runs along rocks.
Needs a light southeast or east wind. Best on a clean four- to
six-foot groundswell.

Lamberts Bay
Elandsbay

LAMBERTS BAY
(WEST COAST)

Paternoster

In front of the river mouth at Lamberts Bay, near the caravan
park, are fun sandbank peaks at low tide. At its best in calm
conditions or light northeast winds and medium-sized swell.

Veldrift

Langebaan
Sharkbay

Yzerfontein
Tube wave
Derdesteen

46

Dungeons

Derdesteen

Derdesteen

ELANDS BAY

TUBE WAVE

The J-Bay of the West Coast. This wave cranks, but is
congested these days. Can be overrun with kiters and
windsurfers, to add mayhem to the mix.

Also called Beach Road, this is a good right-hand sandbar point
break in Melkbos. It is protected by an outer reef. Works in light
southwest or southeast winds and big groundswell. The outside
is best at low tide. The inside cooks on the high tide.

(WEST COAST)

A rocky, kelp-covered point break that ends at a small river
mouth. When big, the swell peaks off an outside reef and
refracts down the point, producing a fast cylindrical wall that
runs for maybe 200 meters. Needs open ocean west swell of six
foot to wrap in at three- to four-foot. If general swell is southwest
six foot, it might only be two foot. Handles moderate south wind.
Dominant wind is southeast, which pumps in summer. Best in
light east to southeast winds and solid long-period west swell.

Elands Bay

(WEST COAST)

DERDESTEEN
(WEST COAST)

Good-quality beach break near Blouberg. Needs glassy to light
northeast and two- to five-foot west swell. Gets super-hollow and
superlative

47

The Hoek
Camps Bay

CAPE PENINSULA
BIG BAY

Cape Town
City Centre

(CAPE TOWN)

Windy beach break popular with sailboarders. Big A-frames break
on the outside, then reform before hitting the shore break. Can be
good banks here, but gets crowded. Best in light berg winds. Can
be disorganized and messy. One of few west-facing spots that can
handle a northwest, but not more than 15 knots.

Camps Bay

CAMPS BAY
(CAPE TOWN)

Like Clifton, needs a rare confluence of sand, wind and swell to
create good waves. Best in front of Blues Restaurant to the right of
the rocks.

Dungeons

The Hoek

Muizenberg

Cemetery

DUNGEONS
(CAPE TOWN)

Made famous by Red Bull Big Wave Africa, this big right-hander is
seldom ridden by paddle surfers outside the event, but tow surfers
ride it frequently. Just off the Sentinel off Hout Bay, Dungeons
starts breaking from eight to ten foot. Best in light winds and a
thumping 20-foot west swell. Best on the low tide, otherwise it
gets too thick (too much water). Beyond 20 foot, the tide is less
significant. One session on 30 July 2006 saw tow surfers tackle
monstrous 60-foot faces â&#x20AC;&#x201C; the biggest waves ridden in Africa at the
time.

Witsands

Misty Cliffs
Scarborough

Black Rock
Olifantsbos

Buffelsbaai

Cape Point

48

The Hoek

Muizenberg

THE HOEK

BLACK ROCKS

An archetypal Cape Town A-frame peak that barrels over a shallow
sandbar in crisp, clean water and a majestic setting. An offshore
reef focuses the swell into the corner of a small boulder-strewn
bay at the base of the cliffs below Chapman’s Peak. At best, a
world-class tube – short, round and perfect. The lip sucks top to
bottom; throws fast and hard. Protected, slightly, from the offshore
southeaster, the Hoek works on a low tide and copes best with a
medium-energy four- to six-foot west swell.

Nearby right-hand reef more consistent than Buffels, but also
needs a huge swell between Cape Point and Hangklip. Gets
radically overcrowded. A small take-off zone in thick kelp doesn’t
help. A classic wedge set-up that handles up to eight- to ten-foot in
ideal conditions (southwest winds and an open ocean 15-foot-plus
southwest to south swell).

(CAPE TOWN)

OLIFANTSBOS
(CAPE TOWN)

Rocky right reef best on southeast wind and large west swell. Best
on the incoming to high tide. Very kelpy. Gets super-hollow. Watch
out for vicious baboons, especially the ones with surfboards on the
roof.

BUFFELS BAY
(CAPE TOWN)

This secret right-hand point break can sport 300 people in the car
park when a humongous south to southeast swell breeches the
swell window that shields False Bay from the open ocean. On 27
August 2005, a 30-foot south swell translated to a 10- to 15-foot
swell here. When firing, hordes of grizzled veterans venture from
the woodwork. A difficult wave to master, it holds off in deep water,
then suddenly jacks and barrels along a shallow reef for 200
metres. Gets heavy.

Buffels Bay

(CAPE TOWN)

MUIZENBERG
(CAPE TOWN)

Muizenberg is the hub of the Cape Town surf scene. Not a
powerful break by the unrelenting standards of the reefs on the
western side of the peninsula, but a great hotdog wave. There
are lots of peaks, if you can call them that, particularly in front
of the car park. It’s offshore in northeast to northwest. On a
three- to four-foot south groundswell, the outside breaks, and the
wave reforms again on the inside. Malibu boards are just right
here because they give you enough momentum to make it all the
way through. Alternatively, you can pump your six-foot-two board
up and down like a jack-in-the-box. When big, entails an arduous
paddle through acres of white water to reach the back line.

CEMETERY
(CAPE TOWN)

Another beach break like Corner, with more juice. Best in light
northwest winds. There are a few peaks to choose from: lefts and
rights. Expect the swell to be at least one to two foot bigger and
slightly hollower than Muizenberg Corner.

We sell Mystic wetsuits, harnasses and hoodies / tees from the endless summer beach house
and Mystic.
Ask the crew for the latest update regarding the prices and stock!

54

RRD KITES
RRD RELIGION kite
The new religion is simply mind-blowing
performance for any serious wave rider. We all
know that for onshore you need a fast turning
kite that flies slightly lower in the wind window,
allowing you to ride waves without stalling, but
the problem happens when you start riding in
proper side-side off shore winds. The kite has
to be stable, powerful and locked in the center
of the wind window. Basically you should not
even consider moving the kites while wave
riding, or at least as little as possible.
Well, ladies and gentlemen, here is the
RELIGION MKIII!!! Exactly the perfect kite
for both worlds! Thanks to a new redesigned
profile where the maximum shape has been
moved to 40% of the chord, longer leading
edge, flatter tips design and slightly longer
wider tips, the RELIGION MKIII is now 20%
more stable, and with so much more power
locked in when you need.

However, the same neutrality of the kite
swinging in front of you is still there when you
release the bar and ask for control and not
being blown out of the water! Riding waves with
control has never been easier. Concentrate on
reading waves, create your tracks, forget about
your kite while thereâ&#x20AC;Ś Love this sport, a gift
from heaveâ&#x20AC;Ś only who rides waves on a kite
knows this feeling!
If you are looking for new kite gear we sell RRD
Religion kites.
We also have RRD surfboards and twintips.
Ask the crew for the latest update regarding the
prices and stock!

55

RRD BOARDS
RRD PLACEBO Freeride twintip
A new re-designed outline and rocker-line
based on the solid background of the previous
Placebo boards. Slightly more curved outlines
to increase the turning potential and start
planing earlier. Slightly deeper concave bottom
and a more pinched-in tip design to increase
the release potential when fully powered up.
The boards are easier, more accessible and
more fun to ride than ever. Another great
milestone in the RRD line!

RRD MAQUINA All round wave board
A totally new program based on a classic pro
surfboard shape. The Maquina combines the
advantages of a wider tail with a generous
rocker and a serious tail kick. The narrow nose
helps freedom of radical off the top turns on
the heaviest sections. A must for a pro rider.

Ask the crew for the latest update regarding the prices and stock!

56

AFRIKAANS
Talk the talk: A-Z of South African slang
Don’t know your babbelas from your tekkies? Learn how to
make yourself understood
BABELAS (bubble-us): hangover: usage: “jeez, I had too many
dops last night. I’ve got a hectic babelas.”
BAKKIE (bucky): What Americans would term a “pick up”. A
two seater light vehicle with an open rear cargo area. The rear
is often used to transport an impossible number of workers
who stare back at you in traffic and make you feel awkward
and a bit guilty.
BERGIE: Term used for a type of homeless person in Cape
Town. Originates from “berg”, which is the Afrikaans word for
mountain, referring to the homeless people who used to live on
Table Mountain but who now live mainly in the city. Pronounce
the harsh “g” as if you’ve swallowed an insect and are trying
to clear it from your throat.
BLIKSEM (bluk-sem): If you’re in a pub and you accidentally
spill a beer belonging to a man with a thick neck, he may say:
“Do you want me to bliksem you?” Don’t respond. Just run.
Run for your life. It’s the Afrikaans word for hit or strike or
punch.
BOET: Means “brother” in Afrikaans. An affectionate (though
not too much) term for a friend. It’s like saying “dude” or
“buddy”.
BROEKIES (brookies): Panties or underwear. Usage: “I phuza’d
with this girl last night and she came back to my hotel. When I
woke up this morning, she was gone but she left her broekies
behind.”

(LEARN SOME SLANG)

CAR GUARD: Found in most urban areas, a car guard’s office
is the parking lot. He keeps an eye on your car while you’re
at the match, in the mall or at the pub. You’re expected to tip
him when you return to your car and it hasn’t been stolen or
broken into. No. That’s a lie. You’ll be expected to tip him even
if it has.
DAGGA: Again pronounced with a harsh “g”. Marijuana. Illegal
but admittedly very easy to get hold of if you’re inclined. Just
ask your car guard.
DINGES (ding-e-sus): An indeterminate, nondescript thing or
term for an object whose name you’ve momentarily forgotten.
Like this: “Please pass me my dinges there.” “ What?” “My
dinges. I want to blow it.” “ You mean your vuvuzela?” “Yes, my
vuvuzela.”
DOF: Stupid.
DOP: If someone says “Do you want to go for a dop?” Always
say yes. It means you’ll be going for a drink.
DORPIE (doorpee): Small town. But no matter how small,
you’ll always find a KFC. And a pregnant 17 year old.
DOSS: Slang for “sleep”. Usage: “Is it cool if I doss at your
place tonight?”
EINA (ay-na): Expression of pain, as in “ouch”. Usage: “ooh,
looks like Rooney just shattered his pelvis. Eina!”
EISH (aysh): Common term that denotes a wide range of
emotions from joy and surprise to confusion and anger. When
in doubt, use it.

57

EITA (ay-ta): Casual African greeting, like “hey”. Actually, it’s
the same as “Howzit”.
GATVOL: Literally means “hole fill” in Afrikaans. Means you’ve
had enough of something that’s making you angry. Usage:
“boet, I’m gatvol of this ref’s bad decisions.” Again with the
harsh “g”.
HUNDREDS: Normally repeated twice in a sentence as in
“hundreds, bru, hundreds.” It expressed either total agreement
with what someone just said or confirmation that your life is all
good (e.g. “how are you?” Ah, hundreds man hundreds”). Can
also be used as a way of simply saying yes.
IS IT?: It’s a casual way of saying “Oh Really?”. Usage: “Dude, I
saw Messy coming out of a ladies toilet yesterday.” “Buzz us?”
JA-WELL-NO-FINE: Nobody really knows what this means,
because it doesn’t really mean anything. But we like saying it.
JOL: Party. Can be used either a noun or verb, as in “That was
a liker jolt” or “I went jollying last night and ended up in Fabio
Cinnabar’s hotel room. It was great. We set fire to it.
JUST NOW: An indeterminate amount of time. If a waiter says
“I’ll be with you just now”, it could mean anything from five
minutes to ten, to never.
KAK (kak): Literally “shit”. Popular uses include: “What a load
of kak” and “Don’t talk kak.”

LADUMA: Celebratory exclamation when a goal is scored.
For best effect, try to hold the “u” for as long as possible on
one breath, so that the “ma” comes out as desperate choke.
Laduuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuu…
ma.
LANK: Beyond cool is lank cool. Also means a large amount of,
as in “There were lank vuvuzelas at the game last night.”
LEKKER (lakka): Great, awesome, amazing
MAMPARA: Idiot
MY CHINA: Or just “china”. An affectionate term similar to
“boet”. “Howzit china” is a standard South African greeting.
Except when meeting and actual Chinese person. Then you
probably shouldn’t say it.
MZANSI: Popular term for South Africa. Best describes our
country’s gritty energy and loud African spirit.
NOOIT (noyt): Means never. As in “Aah, nooit! There’s chewing
gum on my seat!” or “When I saw that advert with Ronaldo
striking a homoerotic pose in a pair of tights underpants, I
just thought “Nooit, bru!”
NOW-NOW: Not to be confused with “just now”. Now-now is a
much smaller indeterminate amount of time. Hmmm. Don’t
worry – you’ll get it.
PHUZA (poo-za): A drinking session. “Phuza Thursday” is a
noble tradition in South Africa. Try to uphold it while you’re
here.

58

ROBOT: When you’re asking for directions and someone says:
“Left at the third robot,” it is not because our streets are overrun
with menacing cyborgs made by Japanese scientists. No. A robot
is simply our word for traffic light.
SHARP-SHARP: Okay. This is a complicated one. An expression of
agreement. Or a greeting. Or a way of saying goodbye. Or a way
of saying “Okay, sure.” Or a way of … forget it.
SIFF: Gross, disgusting. “Check, that guy is picking his nose.”
Siff, boet.”

WÖRS (vors). Traditional Afrikaans sausage now eaten by
everyone. Flavoured with spices such as coriander and chilli, the
full name is boerewors, which translates directly as farmers’
sausage. A wörs roll is a length of wörs in a white bread roll,
topped with onions, mustard and tomato sauce. You may also
have pap (cooked maize meal) and wörs with a tomato and onion
sauce.
XHOSA (korsa). South African tribe dominant in the Eastern Cape
province. The letter “x” is pronounced with a click emanating
from the sides of the mouth, as if you were clicking at a horse.
“My friend Lusanda is Xhosa; she speaks isiXhosa.”

STOEP: A veranda or porch.
YEBO (yeah-boh). Yes, yeah. “Yebo’’
TEKKIE (tacky): Common word for sneakers.
TSOTSI (tot-si): Not just the name of the Oscar-winning film
made by local director Gavin Hood. Tsotsi is a township term for
a young boy who’s already committing crimes like hijacking cars
and stealing. Hopefully not from you.
UBUNTU (oo-boon-to). Southern African philosophy with the
central tenet that a person is a person because of other people –
no man is an island.

ZHOOSH: Very fancy. A word normally utilised by well-kept
women with French manicures who will never, ever understand
the off-side rule. Use the word if you must (if feels nice in the
mouth), but aggressively avoid these women.

Where can I buy Liquor?
Only liquor stores are selling beers. In supermarkets you
can only get wine till 17 o’clock. Make sure you got stock for
Sundays, cause all liquor stores around are closed, only in CT
city centre there is one open.

How do I know if it’s going to be windy and where it’s going
to blow?
Check www.windguru.com or www.windfinder.com and look
at the Table Mountain, if there is a big cloud above Table
Mountain, it should be windy!

Where is it possible to do my laundry?
At the Happy Hippo, see the map for the directions

What’s the best kite spot for beginners?
If you have a car Shark bay is the best beginners spot. It’s an
hour drive from Bloubergstrand. Check also the spot guide.

Where can I Hire a car?
At capetownguru.com or send a email to:
sheree@capetownguru.com
Where are the supermarkets?
There are four supermarkets nearby. The Pick ‘n Pay and
Checkers are both good supermarkets. See the map for the
directions.
Where can I beat breakfast?
Carlucci!
The supermarket is closed, where can I buy meat for the
braai?
At the Grill Butcher, see the map for the directions.
Where can I use the ATM and what is the maximum?
You can use the ATM by the gas stations and supermarkets.
The maximum at most ATM’s is R2000,Is there duck tape in the surf- or beachhouse?
It’s sold in the vending machine!

What’s the best windsurf spot for beginners?
Nearby Bloubergstrand is ‘Rietvlei’. You have to pay to get in
but it’s a perfect spot to get ready for the sea.
Where can I wavesurf in this surrounding?
There are a lot of surf spots. You can surf in front of the
Beachhouse or in front of the shipwreck. Otherwise go to
Karma, Big Bay or Derdesteen. Or check the wavesurf spot
guide.
Where is it possible to get my surf gear repaired?
For kiterepairs, call Eric (072-1102642) from Kitefix, he will
pick up and return in 24 hours!
For boardrepairs call Dutchie (083-5800551), he is also your
man for custom waveboards!
Where can I rent a surfboard?
You can rent a surfboard at The Endless Summer Beachouse.
Ask Alex or Grant for more information.

On which evening is the braai?
Friday is braaiday at the Beachhouse (if the weather is good).
BYO= Bring your own drinks and food.

Which type of wetsuit do I need?
The water is very cold so a 4/3 or a 5/4 is the perfect wetsuit
if you go in the water in this area. If you go out at Langebaan
or Sharkbay a shorty or a 3/2 should be enough.

What are the best clubs in town?
Check www.capetownmagazine.com for the latest greatest or
ask the crew for the best and hottest places in town!

Where can I go for kite surfing lessons?
The Endless Summer Beachhouse has an in-house kiteschool
called High-Five. If you need lessons call: 0845543262

60

TAX REFUND
If you buy a kite in South Africa and travel with it back to
Europe you can reclaim 14% VAT. However South African
bureaucracy makes this not an easy task. Shortly said you need
to keep all the receipts and visit the tax office desk before
checking in on the airport. There are a few steps and rules to
consider.
STEP 1: DOCUMENTATION
Simply identify yourself as a foreign tourist to the shop
assistant, and request a Tax invoice for the goods you have
purchased. A Tax invoice must contain all of the following
information:
The words Tax Invoice
The seller’s name and address
The seller’s VAT registration number (a ten digit number,
starting with a 4)
The date of issue of the tax invoice
A tax invoice number
A full description of the goods purchased, second hand goods
must be indicated as such
The cost of the goods supplied in Rands
The amount of VAT charged, or a statement that VAT at the rate
of 14% is included in the total cost of the goods
In the case of purchases over R3 000.00, the purchaser’s name
and address and the quantity or volume of the goods must
appear on the tax invoice.
Remember:
To qualify for a VAT refund you must have purchased the goods
during your stay in South Africa.

(14% VAT)

STEP 3: CLAIM YOUR VAT REFUND
You will be issued with a VISA electron cash card that will be
loaded with foreign currency after your departure from South
Africa. The card may be used to withdraw cash from a VISA
electron ATM machine or at any VISA merchant worldwide
(excluding car hire, hotel accommodation and fuel purchases)
To utilize the full value of funds on the card the card should be
presented at a VISA merchant with the request that an amount
equal to the balance on the card be debited.
RULES

• Only original tax invoices will be considered for VAT refund
purposes.

• Only claims where the value of

the goods exported at
one time exceed R250 or more will be considered for a
VAT refund. The R250 relates to the total value of all the
invoices submitted and is not a minimum value per invoice.

• Goods consumed and services rendered in South Africa, do
not qualify for a VAT refund.

• The items purchased must be exported within 90 days of
the date of issue of the tax invoice, failing which the VAT
refund claim will be rejected.

• A commission is charged to cover the administration costs
of the VAT Refund Scheme. The commission is calculated
at a rate of 1.3% of the VAT inclusive value, with a
minimum charge of R10 and a maximum charge of R250
per refund. You can use the calculator to assist you in the
calculation of the fee and the value of your VAT refund.

STEP 2: INSPECTION
Should you depart from OR Tambo International Airport, King
Shaka International Airport or Cape Town International Airport,
you must present your purchases as well as the relevant
tax invoices to a VAT Refund official for inspections. If your
purchases are too large to be kept as hand-luggage, you must
present the goods and relevant tax invoices at a VAT Refund
inspection desk or to a South African Customs official prior to
the goods being checked in.

Placebo twintip kiteboard
A new re-designed outline and rocker-line based
on the solid background of the previous Placebo
boards. Slightly more curved outlines to increase the
turning potential and start planing earlier. Slightly
deeper concave bottom and a more pinched-in
tip design to increase the release potential when
fully powered up. The boards are easier, more
accessible and more fun to ride than ever. Another
great milestone in the RRD line!

the best winds and
As a kitesurfer, our main priority is focussed on finding

n or family in tow, in
CAPTIONS THIS PAGE,
when choosing a holiday. Unless of course we have childre
CLOCKWISE FROM TOP > Downtown; conditions
r your situation,
Whateve
ments.
require
y
activit
extra
some
in
Brad Symington boosting at
case we'll have to factor

which
of stories about days spent adventuring
Cape Town will work. In fact I could write any number
will keep you wide-eyed and
drives
the
even
hell,
around the town or outer Cape country;
feature should focus on the huge
Town
Cape
best
the
that
is
truth
the
But
breathless all day.
Editing all the rider quotes
offers.
city
number of spots and the electric lifestyle that this
there, or pro riders who've
live
to
chosen
who've
those
from
you'll find over the next 12 pages,
has left my heart
season,
summer
ridden the world over but continue to head back every
beating with longing for another trip.
of riding, off-the-water activities
I'm clearly not the only person who thinks that the variety
for a kite adventure
world
the
in
place
best
the
it
and cultural opportunities make

72

< KITEWORLD #53

66

OUTH AFRICA.qxp:Layout 1

23/8/11

17:22

Page 4

>

PHOTO > Fiona Claisse / Progression.me
PHOTO > Fiona Claisse / Progression.me
CAPTIONS THIS PAGE, CLOCKWISE FROM TOP LEFT > Roberto Ricci team rider on it early and scoring solo; Lion's Head by night; Kim Albrecht killing it off the front

NORTH TO LANGEBAAN

MELKBOSSTRAND
HAAKGAT
BIG BAY
DOLPHIN
SUNSET

TABLE VIEW

TABLE
MOUNTAIN >

CAPE TOWN

FRANSCHHOEK

ATLANTIC OCEAN
MUIZENBERG
SCARBOROUGH
+ MISTY CLIFFS

ATLANTIC OCEAN
CAPE POINT

FALSE BAY
GARDEN ROUTE EAST
TO SEDGEFIELD AND
KNYSNA >

INDIAN OCEAN
PHOTO > Jens Hogenkamp
“I graduated from university in 1998 and
decided I deserved a little holiday break,
so came down to Cape Town for three
months to windsurf before joining the rat
race, but already knew that sometime soon
it would be my new home. That trip to
Cape Town was mind blowing. If you've
seen the movie, 'The Hangover 2', well that
was us, but with a lot of windsurfing
added in.
“I returned for six months each year for
several years, working for the other six
months as an Industrial Automation
Engineer, designing control software for
paper machines and ended up travelling
extensively. I actually had no life for
those six month periods, living out of a
suitcase far away from any beach. In 2004
my employer decided that it was no

longer a 'good idea' to let me go for six
months as it was difficult to schedule
the work in. I resigned the next day and
three days later was on the plane to
Cape Town, my house in Holland was up
for rent and the rest is history!
“Cape Town is arguably the best place for
gear development. Every year we see more
and more brands here working on
prototypes. A major reason for this must
be the diversity when it comes to testing
conditions; we have everything from
perfect flat water freestyle set-ups to
fantastic wave spots and everything in
between. What Cape Town is probably more
famous for though is it's strong Cape
Doctor Southeaster wind, and often tough
conditions. The harder the conditions, the
better the testing, though. If a board

works well in harsh, difficult conditions
it will work even better elsewhere.
Durability is very important when it
comes to riding here, and we find out
what works.
“The Cape Town lifestyle is like nothing
I've experienced before. Capetonians are
very sociable and need no excuse to get
together, just to spend time, watch the
rugby or host a braai. Eating out here is
still very affordable and at the end of
my perfect day I'll go for dinner with my
wife at one of our many great
restaurants for excellent food and a few
drinks.”
FRED KLOREN, DIRECTOR AND SHAPER AT
XELERATOR KITEBOARDS

WWW.KITEWORLDMAG.COM > 73

67

OUTH AFRICA.qxp:Layout 1

23/8/11

17:23

Page 5

CAPE POINT TO TOWN

PHOTO

> Jonas Roosens

in the city's
CAPTIONS THIS PAGE, CLOCKWISE FROM TOP LEFT > Big dockerwest
side;
Waterfront shopping area; Witsands; Ralf Bachschuster,
Ostriches at Cape Point; Cape Point national park

CAPTION above > Useful numbers! SMS cost R3.
www.windreport.co.za
PHOTO > rb-sixty3.com
“We first visited South Africa for gear testing three years ago. Travelling from Brazil it was quite a change, especially in
terms of the cold Atlantic water temperature. South Africa really reminded me of Western Australia, but with so many
different spots with brilliant conditions packed much closer together, it also had the undeniably special feel of Africa.
“Now, along with other members of the Best test team, I spend the whole season in South Africa as the conditions allow us to
regularly test kites from 3.5 to 17 metres. Whichever spots you choose to stay near, you're never a long drive from Cape Town,
which is great, especially when spending such a long time here. The variety of fantastic restaurants, events, concerts and
more are real treats to have so close to so many brilliant kite spots. I can't think of anywhere else so well equipped for
when the wind stops or night falls.
“Depending on the wind conditions, we usually try to kite at Scarborough or Witsands. The scenery is spectacular and these
spots seem to catch more swell, but they are not a particularly safe spots to kite. The deep ocean with big fish meets a rocky
coastline. The wind can be quite offshore at the windward side of the bay and often over 30 knots. If you're good enough and
score it when it's firing though, you'll never forget it. I don't really have a favourite spot though, my favourite thing about
South African riding is simply the variety. Follow a session with some biltong and a Windhook beer and I'm in heaven.”
PETER STIEWE, BEST KITE DESIGNER

Head north from the very tip of the south peninsula's Cape wildlife reserve, hang a left and
you'll head down to the infamous Cape Point. Huge, roaring waves crash in at the spot of choice
for many a big wave man. Perfectly cross-shore and very smooth for their size, the conditions
here can be at a level you won't find anywhere else. Rig up amongst the wildlife and head out
to battle. Drive north back along the stunning road towards Chapman's Peak, through Witsands,
Scarborough and Misty Cliffs; a string of world-class and occasionally extreme, but very
atmospheric and beautiful wave riding spots. Requiring a bit more of a drive around town to get
to if you're staying in Table View - as most kiters tend to - you don't get so many riders here;
just the hardcore. You're also less likely to get a rescue if you need one, so be careful. But if
you're up for it you'll experience some life affirming wave rides here. Top tip: head to Elands
Bay on the SW'ers when there is decent swell forecast.

WWW.KITEWORLDMAG.COM > 75

69

17:24

Page 7

“I first went out to Cape Town in 2001 with my
parents. We ended up going out there for six
months as my dad had always wanted to check it
out and we were looking for a warm, windy place
to ride over the winters. I hadn't travelled much
so didn't really know what to expect. I remember
finishing my school work though and then just
loving spending the rest of the day kiting or on
the beach. It was windy almost everyday and I
spent every minute I could on the water.

PHOTO

“Cape Town might not always have the perfect
kiting conditions, but to have the amount of wind
it has and the challenging conditions
surrounding that city is amazing. It is actually
similar to England in many ways; there are lots
of different conditions to find, you can
wakeboard, the food is amazing and there's good
places to go out in the evening. My parents live
out there now, so it's kind of like home, too. I also
enjoy being based out of one place for a while
and tend to stay in Cape Town for over three
months at a time, which is a luxury for me. The
quality of life out there is brilliant and I
never get bored.

“Big Bay isn't always the best option for a
session for what I want, but maybe five times in
the season I'll get it golden. I've had some of my
best ever sessions there in the evenings with
smooth nine metre winds and the most ridiculous
kickers that curve in through the bay allowing
you to pick the angle you want to hit them at. At
some point on most days it works well for
freestyle as, although there's often waves, there
are generally lovely flat sections on the inside
and some sort of kickers.”
AARON HADLOW, FIVE TIME WORLD CHAMPION AND HADLOW
PRO BY FLEXIFOIL GEAR DEVELOPER
“I made it out to Cape Town for the first time in
2005 and have been back for training every year
since, staying with Aaron or my good friend and
Cape Town local, Greg Thijjse. The conditions and
the lifestyle just keep me coming back for more.

“Three months just flies by; there is so much to
do, on and off the water - you’re just enjoying
yourself non-stop. The wind can crank in Cape
Town in summer, that's for sure. Dolphin Beach
gets perfect cross-shore wind and the kickers
roll in pretty good too. Doing a downwinder from
Sunset and finishing at Doodles bar on the front
and then heading in, still in your wetsuit for
happy hour sun down beers is just the ticket. I
could do this everyday. There's no wonder a lot of
people do – and you can just thumb a lift back
down the road. My favourite spot is Big Bay
though, just because of the memories on and off
the water. I've thrown some of my biggest mega
loops there and will never forget them.
“The veggies and meats are insane in SA. I'll
usually have a big salad and a huge steak after
a nice session before heading into town for the
evening. The pretty ladies in Cape Town don't go
unnoticed; there are tons of models from all over
the world during 'modelling season' in the summer,
and what’s not to like about that?

PHOTO
76

> Brian Jensen

< KITEWORLD #53

70

“Of course the main pull for me are the epic, fullon winds. If you want to go huge it's the only
place to be. A lovely place for natural highs!”
RUBEN LENTEN, SLINGSHOT PRO RIDER

ENDLESS SUMMER BEACH HOUSE
Located right on the Kite Beach
seafront, this guest house runs
with a constant buzz. Drop in, even
if you're not staying.
Www.endlesssummerbeachhouse.co.za
alex@endlesssummerbeachhouse.co.za
BEST KITEBOARDING AFRICA
For all your kiteboarding needs,
from lessons to gear sales and
rental, on Dolphin Beach seafront
right next to the strip's most
popular cafe, Carlucci's
www.bestkiteboardingafrica.com
info@windfever.co.za
THE KITE'S NEST
Brad Symington, instructor of
massive experience has been on the
Cape Town scene since day one.
Mobile lessons and stunning guest
house accommodation in Sunset
Beach available.
ww.thekitesnest.com
info@thekitesnest.com
KITE KAHUNAS
Intensive advanced kitesurfing
courses and beautiful guest
house accommodation in Sunset
Beach. Hit any of 30 kite spots
with Wolf and his crew. More
activities also available.
www.kitekahunas.com
info@kitekahunas.com

CAPTION > Bruna Kajiya's mellow morning indy chop pop, Sunset Beach

SCHOOLS AND ACCOMMODATION

CAPTION > Bas Koole, slim chance, Big Bay

CONDITIONS AND SET-UP

Milnerton is technically the first beach you
hit heading north from Cape Town on the R27
towards the main kiting strip, but the first
popular kiting beach you'll hit is Sunset
Beach. Backed by beautiful property
developments, Sunset is the first of these
northern beaches to get the wind. As soon as
the Table Cloth (and often before) starts to
lay across Table Mountain and the Sou'Easter
Cape Doctor kicks in, it will be windy at
Sunset. Really popular with windsurfing
wave riders the conditions are more crossoff here than any of the other spots and so
a bit gusty on the inside, but the waves kick
up nicely for a good few hits. There are a
few car parks to choose from – windsurfers
tend to fill out the upwind car parks, where
the wind's a bit gustier anyway, so smile as
you head to join the other kiters at the more
downwind car parks.
If you want to ride as much as possible, this
should be your first port of call, but more
often than not, it's only a matter of time
before the wind fills in at Dolphin beach
and Big Bay, which are more popular and
properly cross-shore. Kamers lies just
downwind of the rocks at Big Bay and can be
a perfect place to hone your wave riding
skills as the waves are generally more
friendly than most other spots. They've still
got some size mind you, and can get busy.
Respect the order and people trying to ride
waves and, as the beach is long, remember you
can spread right the way along it!

“My perfect day in Cape Town starts with a breakfast
at Carlucci's which is right opposite Dolphin beach,
allowing me to check out what the day is offering. In
fact, if you sat there most of the day, you'll probably
bump into most pro riders at some point! Maybe I'll go
for a surf session in the morning or a kite at Sunset
before the wind fills in elsewhere. The space between
the waves is amazing so there are kickers on the way
out and flat water coming in. It's great for wave
riding or freestyle.
You just never know what you're in for though, and
that's why I love it so much; everyday is different. I
always take a break for lunch at Big Bay to see how
the rest of the day will play out. Maybe we'll kite at
Big Bay or head back to Sunset if the wind still
hasn't picked up at Big Bay. Alternatively, if the wind
is now too strong we might head inland to the 'vlei'
(lake) for some flat water freestyle or up to
Langebaan. There's always an option for every level
of kiter.
“I just can't say enough about how much I love Cape
Town and the opportunities you get to meet old
friends and new people as well as experiencing all
that a city like that has to offer. It's the most
European city I've ever been outside of europe.”
RUI MEIRA, BEST DEVELOPMENT RIDER
WWW.KITEWORLDMAG.COM > 77

71

23/8/11

17:26

Page 9

CAPTION > Kiteworld tester, Floris Jan

Jansma in the Derdesteen shorebreak

OUTH AFRICA.qxp:Layout 1

THE NORTHERN BEACHES

CAPTION > Peter Peterson, Haakgat
PHOTO > Al Nicoll

CAPTION > Beautiful wine country

CONDITIONS AND SET-UP

PHOTO

> Fiona Claisse / Progression.me

that marks its
Haakgat, Melkbos and more. Haakgat is just a ten minute drive north of Big Bay up the R27 coast road. All
parked up, spilling
cars
see
you'll
off
going
and
windy
it's
If
left.
existence from the road is a small, dusty car park on the
surfboards for
the
tested
we
where
was
and
here
winter
last
of
session
wave
out of the park onto the road. I had my biggest
riders
wave
hungry
most
and
best
world's
the
of
some
find
you'll
and
here
'on'
it's
when
issue #50. Word spreads quickly
confident,
really
not
you're
if
avoid
so
waves,
big
and
currents
rips,
are
There
in.
rolling
start
waves
the
shredding when
of course. Melkbos,
pros,
seasoned
by
bits
to
hacked
precisely
waves
breathtaking
some
watch
and
sit
just
to
want
you
unless
gone proper
another 20 minutes up the road is a huge, wide open beach that is the best option when the bay spots have
when it's small
even
swell,
up
picks
'nuclear' as they can sometimes do. The other good thing about Melkbos is that it always
to get the
morning
the
in
early
out
be
to
have
might
everywhere else. Always keep an eye on the forecast, and sometimes you
rest
can
you
so
days
some
wind
no
for
hope
almost
you
that
is
most suitable conditions for you. The beauty of Cape Town
take
so
though,
days
wind
no
of
chance
get
won't
you
holiday,
week
two
a
on
your body and do some other activities. Often
tomorrow!
always
there's
and
limits
your
Know
Lesson:
Cape
instead!
windy
too
it's
when
advantage of exploring the Cape

78

< KITEWORLD #53

72

OUTH AFRICA.qxp:Layout 1

CAPTION > Melkbos

23/8/11

17:26

Page 10

“Volkswagen South Africa invited me to take part
CAPTION > Jason Furness must be on the water
in a windsurfing competition called Gunston and
the GTI in Cape Town in 1985. The conditions were
so good my friends and I went back almost every
year since. Besides the kiting, Cape Town offers a
fantastic lifestyle. I was lucky enough to buy a
house in 1995 (after apartheid) when it was still
cheap, but it's still not too expensive to live
here. There is a good music scene, cool bars and
restaurants, great mountain biking, surfing and
good people.
“I try to wake up early and start my day with a
good, healthy breakfast, including lots of fruit
before checking Windguru to see what the wind and
waves are doing. According to the strength of the
wind forecast and the size of the waves, I'll choose
my spot for the day. Haakgat is a really good
running wave when it's over two metres, especially
from low tide towards high. A peak on the left
hand side breaks right in front of the rocks and
can connect to the right, giving you really long
rides. The wind is steady and a little offshore too,
shaping the waves beautifully.
“I also like kiting towards town at the Milnerton
lighthouse when the swell is really big and Kamers
always works well when not too big elsewhere (but
it gets very busy and a lot of kiters don't seem to
understand anyway rights of way).
Scarborough and Misty Cliffs are great when the
wind comes in right and when it's not too gusty
and the waves are under three metres. We have
onshore winds (Muizenberg), side-shore, big waves,
small waves, light winds as well as gale force
winds consistently blowing at so many different
kite spots. You can't get bored kiting here.
“As well as designing boards, I love the beautiful
light for photos, easy access to the breathtaking
African landscape, perfect temperature day and
night and being surrounded by good friends. Cape
Town gives me all I could want.”
RALF BACHSCHUTER, EX-PRO WINDSURFER, KITESURF
BOARD SHAPER, CAPE TOWN

CAPTION > Dipping lake in Franschoek. This

stunning part of Cape Town's wine-lands is a
good hour's drive or so east from the main kite
strip, but worth a day or two's stay in peace
WWW.KITEWORLDMAG.COM > 79

73

OUTH AFRICA.qxp:Layout 1

23/8/11

17:27

Page 11

SO

CAPTION > The 25th annual Downwind Dash, 12

February, 2011. Hundreds of kiters and windsurfers,
including some of the best riders in the world, launch
from the Main Beach in Langebaan and race over 20
kilometres to Saldanha Beach. Crazy fun
PHOTO > Fiona Claisse / Progression.me

LANGEBAAN

CONDITIONS AND SET-UP

Langebaan is a small fishing town 90 minutes drive up the R27
out of Cape Town. It has some of the best flat water conditions
in the area and warm waters too, so has obviously now grown
as a busy kite village in the summer months. Two main spots
are Main Beach and Shark Bay. Main Beach is a quality crossshore beach at the end of the main street, so nice and easy for
food and drinks in between sessions. Shark Bay is a five
minute drive over the hill, bringing you round the corner of
the same beautiful flat water lagoon set amongst one of the
most beautiful kite scenes you'll ever ride in. The wind blows
more onshore at Shark Bay, so you have to walk off the beach
a bit to get going, but it's just stunning. Winds are consistent
in Langebaan and perfect for learning or improving. If you're
put off by the sometimes ferocious conditions in Cape Town,
find riding sanctuary and a lot of fun up here.

WIND CHASERS
In Langebaan village, Dimitri and
his team have built one of the
most well-equipped hostels we've
seen. Double en-suite rooms as
well as bunk accommodation
available. Kitchen, wifi and big
TV facilities as well as fully
serviced kite school.
Www.windchaserssa.com
info@windchaserssa.com
CAPE SPORTS CENTRE
Anthony and Esti run this
longstanding windsurfing and
kitesurfing lessons sales and
rental business right on the beach
just downwind of Main Beach. SUP
rentals, hobie sailing and beach
bar also on site. Contact also for
accommodation
www.capesport.co.za
info@capesport.co.za

FRIDAY ISLAND
Beautiful, peaceful, beachfront
units, sleeping up to four with a
mezzanine bedroom, kitchen units
and en-suite bathrooms. Rig up on
the beach next door. Small,
restaurant and bar, too. Next door
to Cape Sports Centre
www.fridayisland.co.za
kathy@intekom.co.za

“South Africa was the first kitesurf
trip I went on. I saved some money and
booked a couple of months out there to
train. I ended up staying in Langebaan
the whole time, which was just perfect;
a nice, quiet place but with enough
going on where you can kitesurf your
heart out. I really like the vibe here;
a little more relaxed than some of the
city spots with a few bars and
restaurants and a lot of kitesufers to
hang out with. Plus, town is just 90
minutes back down the road if you
fancy some more excitement. Langebaan
is my favourite place in South Africa
to kite. The winds blow consistently
over a huge lagoon and the conditions
are safe and regular with flat water
and less aggressive wind than down in
the city. I've spent many months over
there with very few no wind days. It's
so reliable and safe that I now run
coaching holidays there in February to
help others improve their level too.
“Now when I step off the plane at Cape
Town International I get a sense of
calm; as if I've arrived home. The
climate is phenomenal; hot enough to
not think of the temperature and cool
enough at night to wrap up in just a
thin duvet. I love the consistency of
the wind and the fact that you can
exhaust yourself day in and day out. I
love the regular people who go there
every winter and the people that kite
there year round. It has a really
happy and welcoming atmosphere and
plenty of opportunities to do other
activities if kitesurfing gets too
much. South Africa is epic and draws
me back year after year.”
JO WILSON, NAISH PRO RIDER
(www.jowilsoncoaching.com)

Muizenberg lies southeast of town, on the Indian Ocean side
of the Cape and its warmer waters mark the start of your
Garden Route journey. Muizenberg is just 20 minutes drive
from the City and 45 minutes from the northern beaches, but is
already way quieter for kiting than
the northern bay. Cross-onshore, these
will be more like the conditions you're
probably used to coming from Europe.
Very shabby-chic, Muizenberg is
becoming more and more fashionable for
city holidaymakers because of its rustic nature and
elegantly rough charm around the edges. There's still a
rawness and edge to the vibe here, but it's lovely and you can
head from here, through Simon's Town and then over the hills
to the other side of the Cape on an incredible drive, stopping
for food, drinks, markets and even to swim with penguins (at
Simon's Town). Head east instead and you're onto the much
fabled Garden Route and all kinds of wonderful road
adventures as you make your way into the vast South African
countryside. Pull in at Witsands (there are a few spots with
the same name!) along the way for some sublime, uncrowded
flat water action (where Hadlow filmed this amazing video
with William Milne: www.kiteworld.tv/primecuts/hadlowproject27-15/. There's loads of good value
accommodation here in South Africa's biggest whale nursery
and sleepy village if you get a good forecast and fancy a
couple of daysâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; butter smooth riding. Continue another four
hours east until you get to Sedgefield/Knysna and hook up
with the guys from PiliPili for more unbelievable kiting
experiences, downwinders and general outdoor adventure.

MUIZENBERG
TO SEDGEFIELD
AND KNYSNA

CAPTION > Fishin' n livin', Muizenberg

82

< KITEWORLD #53

76

ACCOMMODATION AND SCHOOL
PILI PILI
Located in Sedgefield, just outside
Knysna, the guys from Pili Pili
will show you a good time on the
Garden Route, from guided
downwinders, beginner and
advanced lessons, SUPing and more,
they also offer accommodation and
have a beach bar on one of the top
wave riding beaches on the coast.
www.pilipili.co.za
info@pilipili.co.za

OUTH AFRICA.qxp:Layout 1

23/8/11

17:28

Page 14

CAPTION > Alex Pastor, Brandvlei
PHOTO > Ydwer.com
“Back in 2001 Wipika was the only
kite shop on the sea front in Table
View in front of 'Kite Beach' (where
the Best shop is now). There were
very few people riding there, so we'd
head to Big Bay where the surfers
always wanted to fight us, but we
took all the waves and then all the
chicks, and now we don t hear from
them anymore!

French boat. I like the spirit of
the people here; they are
survivors but are relaxed because
there's always hope.
CAPTION > Easy living, Knysna

THANK YOU TO:
ACKER CAR RENTALS
Acker offer affordable car
rentals for all budgets and
needs, but specialise in
classic 80s Mercedes cars.
Spacious, well refurbished, in
fine fettle and the boots are
huge. George, Nick and the
team mainly deal with
windsurfers and kiters, so
they understand the game.
www.ackercarrentals.co.za
info@ackercarrentals.co.za

“You can ride anything here, and it
gets even better when you can
choose the right gear for the right
discipline in the right conditions.
My favourite spot is Luderitz in
the south of Namibia. I drive
through the night to get there
when the wind is more than 40
knots and ride my speed track the
next day. Otherwise I train for
“Cape Town offers me the best
speed at Sunset Beach when the
compromise for how I want to live
sou'easter is blowing like hell,
and you never know what's going to riding fast over the flat sections
happen: you might get a baboon
in-between the waves. I actually
stealing food from your car or meet broke 50 knots there down-the-line…
CAPTION > Witsands, the freestyle heaven
the
in
road
the
in
Springbok
a
version three hours east of CT
middle of the night. Alternatively, “Everything started in Africa and
you could do as I did and rent a 24 you can feel that everywhere. I
tonne excavator, head to Namibia
love to take my bike and discover
and dig a canal to sail faster with incredible landscapes or visit the
your kite than a €20 million
largest elephant farms in Knysna
where the land gets even more
green and beautiful. For testing,
there is no better place in the
world from October to March. Most
pro-riders or industry figures come
to Cape Town at least once in the
season, or every other season. The
diversity of all the spots provide
an unbelievable amount of
opportunities for any rider and
any wind sport business. Get all
CAPTION > Penguins, Boulders
Beach, Simon's Town
your testing done in a day. It's the CAPTION > Muizenberg fish market
Silicone Valley of kiteboarding!
SEBASTIAN CATTELAN, GENETRIX AND
XELERATOR PRO RIDER, FIRST RIDER
OVER 50 AND 55 KNOTS AND ORGANISER
OF LUDERITZ SPEED EVENT

CAPTION > Gnashers, Aquila Game Reserve
www.aquilasafari.com

CLOSE CALLS:

Cape Town is a fantastic place to
adventure. If it's your first time, speak to
some locals and pick up advice before
heading off on your own. Even better, join
a group. Most kites shops offer surfari
services etc.
Our personal thanks to:
Sheree at Capetownguru.com / Alex and
Grant at The Endless Summer Beach House /
Brad at The Kite’s Nest / Friday Island /
CAPTION > Brandvlei
Aquila Game Reserve and Rob Munro for all PHOTO > Ydwer.com
his hook-ups!

77

WWW.KITEWORLDMAG.COM > 83

Endless Summer hoodies and
t-shirts for sale. Ask the crew
for prices and stock.

available for sale at
the Endless Summer Beach House
and the Mystic House !!

Getting Around
To discover spots in the daytime and
explore the city at night, your own wheels
are essential. Rental cars with roof-racks
start around €15 per day. It’s worth buying
a second-hand vehicle for longer visits –
make sure the registration tax (license) and
technical inspection (roadworthy certificate)
are in order. Drive on the left!

The Cape Region

S

Scarbourough

88

Lodging & Food
Most kiters and windsurfers stay in Table View;
it’s close to the spots and just 20 minutes from
the city. You can find houses for 6 to 8 people
at €90 per night, apartments at €40 and
guesthouses start around €15 per person. Cape
Town’s ethnical diversity ensures extremely
varied (and very good) cuisine; South African
wine is world-class. You can dine supremelywell for around €15 per person.

ince the ’90s, Cape Town has steadily developed into the preferred winter
escape for European windsurfers and kiters. Despite certain spots having lost
some of their charm to unbridled real estate development, there‘s still no end
in sight to this boom. While Europe suffers an enforced break, you’re able to hit the
water almost daily during the South African summer at a seemingly inexhaustible
variety of spots; freshwater lakes to world-class reef-breaks. The region around
Cape Town divides into three areas: Table Bay in front of the city, the Cape
Peninsula’s Atlantic coast, and False Bay which is part of the Indian Ocean.
Melkbos
is the northernmost of Table Bay’s quality beach-breaks. The
further from Table Mountain, the later
in the day the south-easterly starts, so
it doesn’t generally get as windy here
as further south. However, the waves
in front of this very long sandy beach
are usually well-sized – that’s why for
many Melkbos is the main course on
the daily menu. Hagkat
is
more exotic; this world-class pointbreak only works in very big swell, but
when it does it goes off – easily 4 or 5 turns on clean mast-high faces. It’s far more
relaxed in Big Bay
, since this stretch of coast is protected by the infamous
Robben Island – where Nelson Mandela suffered almost 30 years behind bars. But
life’s easy in Big Bay: Food and drink, greens for rigging and chilling, secure parking
and lifeguards make this spot very popular and it therefore gets crowded in the small
rock-fringed bay. For launching a kite, go downwind of the rocks, or – if you’re
looking for even more company – head over to the official Kitebeach
in Table View. Here and next door at
Dolphin Beach
, beginners can
use the sands for their first flights in the
morning, before the pros show off next
season’s event-winning moves as windspeeds
increase in the afternoon. Down at the lake
of Rietvlei
, windsurfers will
find flat-water in exchange for temporary
membership of the local club. Meanwhile
on the Ocean side, it’s firing at the classic
wave spot Sunset Beach
.A
lot of people start their morning patrol
here. As long as the wind isn’t too

Getting There
Flights from Europe go for around €700 to
€1,100 – highest prices around Christmas
and New Year. BA is a NoGo whilst KLM and
Air France with windsurf gear are a lottery,
since they don’t have fixed baggage charges.
Whereas South African Airways and Lufthansa
each charge about €130 one-way. Make sure
to get a direct flight; it takes almost 6 hours
longer via Johannesburg. Air Berlin offers the
best package: Direct from Munich, and a €25
customer card means free board transport!

Climate
Cape Town’s sub-tropical climate is reminiscent
of the Mediterranean. In summer (November to
April), sunny high-pressure weather dominates
and provides the conditions for a southeasterly Passat to ventilate the region. Daytime
temperatures hover around 25°C near the
coast, the backcountry gets distinctly hotter.
In the cooler months (May to September), lowpressure systems pushing through from the
west dominate the weather. They definitely bring
more changeable weather; precipitation and
stormy north-westerly winds. Temperatures then
drop to 5°C at night, but even in wintertime will
recover to around 20°C on sunny days.
J/F
26/77
16/61
sunshine (h/day)
11
rain days per month
2
precipitation (L/m²)
6
Ø max temp (°C/°F)
Ø min temp (°C/°F)

M/A
24/75
13/55
8.5
4
35

M/J
19/66
9/48
6.5
9
80

J/A
18/64
7/44
6.5
10
88

S/O N/D
20/68 24/75
10/50 14/57
8.5
10
11
2
39
22

Nature & Culture
Cape Town’s environment is spectacular.
Beaches, mountains, forests, vineyards and
deserts are all within an hour’s drive of the city
– which is no less interesting itself: Africans,
Indians, Malayans, Arabs and Europeans turn
this metropolis of 3 million into a multi-cultural
jamboree. In the evening, numerous bars
and clubs are a goldmine for party animals –
especially in summer, which isn’t just the season
for kiters and windsurfers, but international
models too...
Hazards & Hassles
Cape Town is the safest city in Africa, but it’s still
Africa. So – don’t leave valuables in your car;
not at the beach during the day or in town at
night. Otherwise the city’s no more dangerous
than any other.
Good to Know
Times have changed – kite and windsurf gear
is now cheaper in South Africa than Europe
(and there’s a VAT refund on top!) Repair prices
remain unbeatable. To help keep phone-bills
low: In every supermarket you can find local
SIM-cards (eg; Vodacom) without a connection
fee. SMS and local calls are affordable,
international calls from Europe <15 cents/min.

SURFING GUIDE by www.stoked-publications.com
THE CAPE REGION
South AfricA

Ocean is distinctly warmer and the beach-breaks of

Glencairn, Fishhoek and Muizenberg
are all more forgiving. Although you won’t see many
windsurfers or kiters here; instead great whites
abound in False Bay. Commercial operators are
using all kinds of bait to erode the sharks’ innate
disinterest of humans – shark-dives now promise an
80% chance of success…

C

ape Town’s best odds of wind and highest

NICOLE HÖLKER

temperatures are concurrent – December to

Witsands

strong, there are good chances of epic waveriding; however,
these powerful and hollow waves do like to close-out. If
Sunset gets too crowded later on, head upwind towards
Milnerton
or (if you can arrange a lift back)
launch from here into a fantastic downwinder to Table View.
The Cape’s Atlantic spots offer a spectacular alternative
to suburban Table Bay. The drive is an experience in itself,
especially over the legendary Chapman’s Peak Drive. But
unbridled, rolling Antarctic swell is the compelling case
for a trip south. Plus, closer to the Cape there’s a higher
probability of wind. The gleaming white sandy beach at
Whitsands
offers a certain degree of safety in
cross-onshore south-easterly, but cross-off north-westerly

March. During this time stable anti-cyclones (akin
to the European Azores High) dominate the South
Atlantic, producing a south-easterly Passat on
their rim. This wind tends to blow non-stop for
4 to 6 days, then takes a break for a day or two
before the cycle starts afresh. Since southeasterlies are accelerated thermally as well
as by local venturi and cape effects around
Table Mountain, the ‘Cape Doctor’ usually
starts working gently in the morning and
markedly increases through the day; Force
6-7 afternoons aren’t rare. These summertime
fair-weather phases are only occasionally
interrupted by low-pressure, but in winter
(May to September) the weather’s more
volatile. Passing low-pressure systems’
cold fronts occasionally bring stormy
north-westerly winds, usually combined
with colossal swell. The moderate SSW
Month

J

F

M

A

M

J

J

A

S

O

N

D

is best for clean down-the-line riding. Another performer
, an extremely
in north-westerlies is Misty Cliffs
powerful reef-break with persistently weak wind on the inside
– very dicey in front of a thoroughly rocky coast. No problems
launching off the sandy beach of Scarborough
though, towards probably this region’s fastest wave. Experts
only, and even they shouldn’t sail too close to the kelpbeds; fall here and you’ll be washed mercilessly onto the
rocks. Another adventure awaits near the Cape’s surreal
southernmost tip; Platboom Bay
hosts big, fast
waves that break right in front of rocks, with only a sliver
of sandy beach in the middle to come in on. An insider tip
is in a north-westerly to launch off the northern end of
the Bay and ride some gigantic sets a bit further. The only
bad thing about Platboom: the nature reserve demands a
55-rand admission fee per person (that’s about € 6!) It’s
another world on the eastern side of the Cape. The Indian

-6
-5
-4
-3
-2
-1

80 60 40 20 -

Predominant
Wind Direction

SE-S

SE-S

SE-NW

SE-NW

SE-SW

SE-S

Water (°C/°F)

15 / 59

15 / 59

14 / 57

13 / 55

14 / 57

15 / 59

Wetsuit

summer swell is comparatively small, but you‘ll still find an
average of head- to logo-high waves, with a few mast-high
days thrown in for good measure, especially around the Cape.
Unlike the air, the water stays really cold the whole year – the
polar Benguela Current
doesn’t allow temperatures
to break 15°C. During
long south-easterly phases,
when the wind pushes all
the warmer surface water
away from the coast, even
10°C isn’t unusual. Other
than in False Bay (which is
supplied with warm water
by the Agulhas Current)
wearing a wetsuit is a
must, year-round.
Platboom